Bag strap support device and method

ABSTRACT

The present specification relates generally to shoulder bags and more specifically to a bag strap support device and method for reducing the likelihood of a bag strap slipping off a user&#39;s shoulder. The bag strap support device includes a lower magnet, an upper magnet, and a stopper piece, extending from a top face of the upper magnet. The method of reducing the likelihood of a bag strap falling off a user&#39;s shoulder includes steps of placing a lower magnet on the user&#39;s shoulder under a clothing item worn by the user, placing an upper magnet with a stopper piece extending therefrom directly above the lower magnet such that the upper and lower magnets sandwich the clothing item, and positioning the bag&#39;s shoulder strap on the user&#39;s shoulder between the user&#39;s neck and the stopper piece.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present specification relates generally to shoulder bags and more specifically to a device and method for reducing the likelihood of a bag strap slipping off a user's shoulder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Whether a purse, duffel, messenger or other bag, most individuals have a need for a shoulder bag to transport and carry with them various items. Shoulder bags may be used, for example, on a trip to the store, on the way to and from work, or on even longer journeys.

While generally useful for transporting and carrying goods, shoulder bags have a disadvantage inherent in their method of use and design. Shoulder bags, unlike backpacks, the straps of which are threaded onto both the arms of a user, are not especially secure while in use. Shoulder bags are prone to slipping off a user's shoulder as they go about their day. Walking, transitioning from standing to seated, climbing stairs and other everyday activities and movements can cause a strap of a shoulder bag to gradually edge closer to the end of a user's shoulder and, often, to slip off the user's shoulder altogether. In a worst-case scenario, this can result in the loss of the bag altogether. In other scenarios, it may result in lost bag contents, damage sustained by the bag or inflicted by it to neighbouring articles, and, most often, frustration on the part of the user who must repeatedly reposition the bag strap on their shoulder.

To reduce the likelihood of their shoulder bag strap slipping off their shoulder, a user may, if the strap is long enough, wear the bag “crossbody” style, wherein the bag and the strap are on opposite sides of the user's body. When a bag is worn this way, the user's neck acts as a stopper, preventing the strap from sliding and the bag from falling. Wearing a shoulder bag this way is, however, not only limited to bags with straps of a certain minimum length but may also crease the user's clothing which is compressed by the strap and impede access to pockets and fasteners on the same. Another low-tech solution employed by users of shoulder bags is to apply downward force on the bag by, for example, resting a hand on a top portion thereof. This, however, comes at the cost of the user having both hands free. Alternatively, solutions exist which involve the application of a silicone strip to the underside of a bag strap to increase the friction between the bag strap and the top worn by or the bare shoulder of the user. Many users of shoulder bags, however, are not inclined to apply adhesive products to their bags for fear of damaging them. Further, these adhesive solutions may not be exchangeable between bags and the grip provided by the silicone may be reduced over time due to wear. Finally, the adhesive strips are especially visible when a bag is not being worn.

Accordingly, there remains a need for improvements in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a bag strap support device, comprising: a lower magnet; an upper magnet; and a stopper piece, extending from a top face of the upper magnet.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a method of reducing the likelihood of a bag's shoulder strap falling off a user's shoulder, comprising: placing a lower magnet on the user's shoulder under a clothing item worn by the user; placing an upper magnet with a stopper piece extending therefrom directly above the lower magnet such that the upper and lower magnets sandwich the clothing item; positioning the bag's shoulder strap on the user's shoulder between the user's neck and the stopper piece.

Other aspects and features according to the present application will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The principles of the invention may better be understood with reference to the accompanying figures provided by way of illustration of an exemplary embodiment, or embodiments, incorporating principles and aspects of the present invention, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bag strap support device, according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the bag strap support device of FIG. 1 taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of an upper magnet with a stopper piece extending from a top face thereof, and a secondary material, according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of a lower magnet and a secondary material, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, are provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular embodiments of the principles of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, of those principles and of the invention. In the description, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and, in some instances, proportions may have been exaggerated in order to more clearly depict certain features of the invention.

According to an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 2 , a bag strap support device 100 is provided to reduce the likelihood of a bag strap falling off a user's shoulder. Accordingly, bag strap support device 100 may alleviate a user's frustration associated with repeatedly replacing and adjusting a bag strap on the user's shoulder and free up the user's hands which might otherwise be occupied maintaining the bag's position on their shoulder. Further, bag strap support device 100 may provide users with a one-size-fits-all alternative to adhesive grip aids which are applied to individual bag straps, are prone to deterioration, and are especially visible when a bag is not being worn. Bag strap support device 100 may further eliminate the need for a user to wear a bag cross-body style and the disadvantages associated therewith—namely, creasing of clothing compressed by the bag's strap, inaccessibility of pockets and fasteners trapped underneath the bag strap, and discomfort where the bag's strap is too short to be comfortably worn in this way. In reducing the likelihood of a bag strap falling off a user's shoulder, bag strap support device 100 may reduce the likelihood of losing one or more contents of a bag and prevent damage to the bag or to nearby property.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , bag strap support device 100 comprises a lower magnet 110 and an upper magnet 120. Lower magnet 110 is positioned immediately below upper magnet 120. Lower magnet 110 and upper magnet 120 may be of equal strength. Alternatively, the magnetic strength of lower magnet 110 and upper magnet 120 may differ. According to an embodiment, lower magnet 110 and upper magnet 120 are each of the same type (i.e., both magnets are either ferrite, alnico, or samarium cobalt magnets).

According to an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , bag strap support device 100 comprises a secondary material 130 which at least partially encases one or more non-bottom sides of upper magnet 120, one or more non-top sides of lower magnet 110, or both one or more non-bottom sides of upper magnet 120 and one or more non-top sides of lower magnet 110. Secondary material 130 may be stainless steel, aluminum, silicone or plastic. Secondary material 130 may be secured to lower magnet 110, upper magnet 120 or both lower magnet 110 and upper magnet 120 with an adhesive. Where secondary material 130 is stainless steel, secondary material 130 may be secured to lower magnet 110, upper magnet 120 or both lower magnet 110 and upper magnet 120 by magnetism alone or in combination with an adhesive. A thickness of secondary material 130 may vary. According to an embodiment, secondary material 130 encases at least one of a side face of lower magnet 110 and a side face of upper magnet 120. Secondary material 130 may vary in shape. Secondary material 130 may be molded to a particular shape around at least one of lower magnet 110 or upper magnet 120. A shape of secondary material 130 need not correspond to a shape of lower magnet 110 or upper magnet 120. For example, secondary material 130 may have a rectangular prism shape with a recess to accommodate a round lower magnet 110 or upper magnet 120. Secondary material 130 may be separable from at least one of lower magnet 110 and upper magnet 120 to permit a user to exchange at least one of lower magnet 110 and upper magnet 120. Lower magnet 110 and upper magnet 120 may be exchanged for magnets of strengths or sizes best suited to an intended use of bag support device 100. By way of example, lower magnet 110 and upper magnet 120 may be replaced with stronger magnets to improve the functionality of bag support device 100 when applied to a thicker clothing item, such as a denim or leather jacket.

According to an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 , a top face 140 of upper magnet 120 is removably attached to a stopper piece 160. As shown in FIG. 2 , top face 140 of upper magnet 120 may comprise a screw 150 onto which stopper piece 160 may be threaded. Alternatively, top face 140 of upper magnet 120 may comprise a threaded receptacle which may accommodate a screw extending from a bottom face 170 of stopper piece 160. According to another embodiment, top face 140 of upper magnet 120 and stopper piece 160 are attached via a snap-fit mechanism comprising a protruding edge on top face 140 of upper magnet 120 configured to engage a snap-in area on bottom face 170 of stopper piece 160. Alternatively, top face 140 of upper magnet 120 and stopper piece 160 may be attached via a snap-fit mechanism comprising a snap-in area on top face 140 of upper magnet 120 configured to engage a protruding edge on bottom face 170 of stopper piece 160. According to another embodiment, stopper piece 160 is magnetically attached to top face 140 of upper magnet 120.

As shown in FIG. 2 , bag support device 100 comprises a stopper piece 160 extending from a top face 140 of upper magnet 120. According to an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , stopper piece 160 is tapered proximate top face 140 of upper magnet 120. Stopper piece 160 may comprise a threaded receptacle configured to receive screw 150 extending from a top face 140 of upper magnet 120, as shown in FIG. 2 . According to an embodiment, stopper piece 160 may comprise a screw emanating from a bottom face 170 of stopper piece 160 and configured to occupy a threaded receptacle on top face 140 of upper magnet 120.

Bag strap support device 100 may be constructed from materials which provide sufficient mechanical strength and durability to perform reliably over time and withstand impact. According to an embodiment, bag strap support device 100 may be constructed of aluminum, magnetic metals, stainless steel, silicone, thermoplastics, or a combination of suitable materials. Manufacturing costs, weight, lifespan and mechanical strength may be considerations informing the choice of materials, construction technique and design choices of bag strap support device 100.

According to an embodiment, there is provided a method of reducing the likelihood of a bag strap falling off a user's shoulder, comprising: placing a lower magnet on the user's shoulder under a clothing item worn by the user; placing an upper magnet with a stopper piece extending therefrom directly above the lower magnet such that the upper and lower magnets sandwich the clothing item; positioning the bag's shoulder strap on the user's shoulder between the user's neck and the stopper piece.

The lower and the upper magnet hold the stopper piece in position on the user's shoulder by affixing it to the user's clothing. The stopper piece reduces the likelihood of the shoulder strap falling off the user's shoulder by providing an obstacle in a path of the shoulder strap from its initial position to the end of the user's shoulder. In order to slip off the user's shoulder, the bag strap must pass to an opposite side of the stopper piece, proximate the end of the user's shoulder, or must cause the upper and lower magnets to disengage such that the stopper piece falls from the user's shoulder.

According to an embodiment, the method of reducing the likelihood of a bag strap falling off a user's shoulder further comprises the step of attaching the stopper piece to the upper magnet. According to a further embodiment, the step of attaching the stopper piece to the upper magnet comprises threading the stopper piece onto a screw extending from a top face of the upper magnet. Alternatively, the step of attaching the stopper piece to the upper magnet may comprise threading the upper magnet onto a screw extending from a bottom face of the stopper piece. In another embodiment, the step of attaching the stopper piece to the upper magnet comprises snapping a protruding edge on a bottom face of the stopper piece into a snap-in area on a top face of the upper magnet. The step of attaching the stopper piece to the upper magnet may alternatively comprise snapping a protruding edge on a top face of the upper magnet into a snap-in area on a bottom face of the stopper piece. According to an embodiment, the step of attaching the stopper piece to the upper magnet comprises nearing a magnet on a bottom face of the stopper piece to the upper magnet.

Various embodiments of the invention have been described in detail. Since changes in and or additions to the above-described best mode may be made without departing from the nature, spirit or scope of the invention, the invention is not to be limited to those details but only by the appended claims. Section headings herein are provided as organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention set out in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bag strap support device, comprising: a lower magnet; an upper magnet; and a stopper piece, extending from a top face of the upper magnet.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the stopper piece and the top face of the upper magnet are removably attached.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the stopper piece is tapered proximate the top face of the upper magnet.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein the top face of the upper magnet comprises a screw onto which the stopper piece is threaded.
 5. The device of claim 2, wherein the stopper piece comprises a screw onto which the top face of the upper magnet is threaded.
 6. The device of claim 2, wherein the stopper piece and the top face of the upper magnet are attached via a snap-fit mechanism.
 7. The device of claim 2, wherein the stopper piece and the top face of the upper magnet are magnetically attached.
 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a secondary material which at least partially encases one or more non-bottom sides of the upper magnet, one or more non-top sides of the lower magnet, or both one or more non-bottom sides of the upper magnet and one or more non-top sides of the lower magnet.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the secondary material is one of: stainless steel, silicone, aluminum, or plastic.
 10. The device of claim 8, wherein the secondary material is separable from at least one of the lower magnet and the upper magnet.
 11. A method of reducing the likelihood of a bag's shoulder strap falling off a user's shoulder, comprising: placing a lower magnet on the user's shoulder under a clothing item worn by the user; placing an upper magnet with a stopper piece extending therefrom directly above the lower magnet such that the upper and lower magnets sandwich the clothing item; and positioning the bag's shoulder strap on the user's shoulder between the user's neck and the stopper piece.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of attaching the stopper piece to the upper magnet.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of attaching the stopper piece to the upper magnet comprises threading the stopper piece onto a screw extending from a top face of the upper magnet.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of attaching the stopper piece to the upper magnet comprises threading the upper magnet onto a screw extending from a bottom face of the stopper piece.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of attaching the stopper piece to the upper magnet comprises snapping a protruding bottom edge on a bottom face of the stopper piece into a snap-in area on a top face of the upper magnet.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of attaching the stopper piece to the upper magnet comprises snapping a protruding edge on a top face of the upper magnet into a snap-in area on a bottom face of the stopper piece.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of attaching the stopper piece to the upper magnet comprises nearing a magnet on a bottom face of the stopper piece to the upper magnet. 